Two residents who live next to the tracks said they awoke to a loud “boom” and the sounds of scraping metal, followed by men shouting, “Are you okay? Are you okay?”
The car has since been pulled off the tracks and towed from the scene.
Calvin Tangitau (left) and Tema Aleki pulled the woman out of her car after it collided with a train on Chalmers St, Avondale. Photo / Anna Heath
Calvin Tangitau and Tema Aleki were working at a nearby playground when they heard the sirens blaring and saw the signals flashing.
They were shocked seeing two cars weave through the barriers, and even more horrified when they saw a third attempt to do the same and suddenly stop.
“A few people must have been in a hurry, decided to swerve through the arms to get through, and she tried to follow and must have [seen] the train, panicked and stopped,” Tangitau said.
They watched as the train slammed into the front of the car, and quickly ran towards to help.
“[Aleki] went and helped her straight away. helped her out the car. And I just called the ambulance,” Tangitau said.
“If she was any further forward, she would have got seriously hurt.”
They said the woman was “really pale” and in shock. When she grabbed her groceries out of the car and walked away without injury, they almost could not believe it.
“It was just sad to see because heaps of people kind of just pulled their phones out and didn’t really want to help.”
Engineers assessing the train after the collision on Chalmers St, Avondale. Photo / Anna Heath
Police say Chalmers St is closed following the collision, which happened around 8.20am.
There were no reports of injuries, said a spokesperson.
A post on the Auckland Transport app told commuters that because of an “emergency services incident” at Avondale, all western trains were cancelled between Avondale and Swanson.
The scheduled buses are accepting rail tickets.
They asked commuters to refer to the AT journey planner online for alternative travel arrangements and to ask staff for advice at the station if any issues arise.
Engineers assessing the train after the collision on Chalmers St, Avondale. Photo / Anna Heath
Police said Chalmers St was closed while emergency services cleared the scene.
“The Auckland Railway Operations Centre has confirmed all rail services on the Western Line north of Avondale have been suspended until further notice.
“Police and Railway Operations are undertaking inquiries to establish how the crash has occurred,” said the spokesperson.
A Hato Hone St John spokesperson said they were notified about an incident on St Georges Rd and Chalmers St in Avondale at 8.20am.
One patient was assessed and treated at the scene but did not need to go to hospital.
